The Project is centered in a busy corridor of the City and the missing sidewalk on the west side of Aviation Boulevard, approximately 600 feet north of 33rd Street, poses a safety challenge for pedestrians attempting to access several nearby transits stops (pick-up and drop-off), major grocery stores, shopping, restaurants, fitness centers, and hotels. Pedestrians traveling on Aviation Boulevard who require access to surrounding transit stops (on the west side of Aviation Boulevard) are forced to walk in the street along or opposed to oncoming traffic, or they have to cut through the parking lot of Northrup Grumman, both of which pose a severe safety threat. This concern is amplified for seniors and individuals with disabilities who may be limited in their mobility.
In July 31, 2019, the City submitted a competitive grant application for FTA Section 5310 Program, Enhance Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities for the Aviation Boulevard Missing Sidewalk Project. The grant application was successful and LACMTA approved the application and awarded $540,000 to the City, and the City agreed to provide the required minimum local match of $60,000.
One of the main goals of the Federal Section 5310 Grant Program is to improve mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities by removing barriers to transportation services and expanding the transportation mobility options available when public transit is insufficient, inappropriate, or unavailable by improving access to fixed-route service.
The installation of a missing sidewalk will afford a safe access route for seniors and individuals with disabilities from surrounding communities who travel by public transportation to reach these central destinations. The work also entails Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant curb ramps, rights-of-way engineering, grading relocation of walls, fences, and miscellaneous appurtenances and landscaping.
The Aviation Boulevard Missing Sidewalk Project is consistent with the goals of the Federal Section 5310 Grant Program. The installation of a missing segment of the sidewalk will enable seniors and individuals with disabilities to safely access transportation services and expand the transportation mobility options. This project is vital to the City’s infrastructure to increase safety and adequate access.
